Effect of the cure time on the Mechanical Properties of Silicone Rubber used as Socket Liners

This work is focused on the upper part of the prosthesis which is called a socket, it is in contact connect with the amputated part. The shear force between skin and socket, local pressure, sweating, and bacteria generation, all lead to skin inflammation and a bad smell. Consequently, the prosthesis became uncomfortable for a patient. To address this issue silicone rubber liners is proposed to use because it can absorb moisture, stress distribution, and anti-bacterial. The curing time and temperature are important factors for determining crosslink density, from the results obtained, can be noticed that, the cross-link density can greatly affect the silicone rubber properties, it can have a direct effect on the tensile strength, modulus of elasticity, percentage of elongation as well as the water absorption, and the cure time (15 min.) shoes the best resalt. As a result, using it making the prosthesis more comfortable and acceptable to the patient. In this paper, the effect of cure time on physical properties was studied.

Multi-objective Optimization of UV Spot Curing Technique of Slider - Suspension Attachment Process Using Response Surface Methodology Approach

The ultraviolet (UV) curing of slider-suspension attachment is going to change from a manual to an automated process. As a result, the bonding parameters of adhesive between slider and suspension needs to be optimized. This paper aims to study two output responses of the UV curable epoxy adhesive i.e., shear strength force and pitch static attitude (PSA) of the joint between slider and suspension in a head gimbal assembly (HGA). Four process parameters were investigated using response surface methodology (RSM) based on face-centered central composite design (FCCD). The RSM was applied to establish a mathematical model to correlate the significance of process parameters and the responses. Then the based multi-objective was applied to determine a quadratic model and obtained the output maximization at 224 g of shear strength force and PSA value close to the target at 1.8 degrees. The input process parameters were optimized at 0.7 s of UV bottom cure time, 120 °C of UV dual side temperature, 5.0 s of UV dual side cure time, and 230 μm of adhesive dot size. The validation experiment showed a prediction response error of less than 7% of the actual value.

Polymethyl methacrylate cure time in simulated in vivo total knee arthroplasty versus in vitro conditions

Background The present means of confirming the cure of intra-operative polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) cement are to wait for the remainder cement to harden. To our knowledge, there is no available technique to determine the precise moment of cure for in-vivo cement beneath the tibial tray. This study uses a novel means to determine cement curing time in two environments. One environment represents the operating theater, and the other environment attempts to model cement conditions under the tibial tray during surgery. Materials and methods We determined the temperature-versus-time plot of cement curing using the following two temperature sensors: one in a simulated implanted tibial tray and another in the remainder cement. We performed 55 tests using dental methyl methacrylate cement mixed in the same ratio as the orthopedic cement. To simulate in vivo conditions, a simulated stainless-steel tibial tray was implanted on a cancellous bone substitute (Sawbones, Vashon Island, WA, USA) using standard cement technique and subsequently placed in a 90°F (32.2 °C) circulating water bath. We positioned a temperature sensor in the cement mantel and positioned a second sensor in a portion of the remaining cement. The temperature from both sensors was measured simultaneously, beginning at 5 min after mixing and continuing for 20 min. The first derivative of the temperature provided the precise curing time for each condition. We analyzed the results of 55 repeated experiments with an independent samples t-test. Results With the described technique, we were able to accurately determine the moment of cure of the cement beneath the simulated tray. There was a mean difference between cure time of 5 min and 26 s (p value < 0.001) between the two conditions. Conclusions We validated that our technique was successful in determining the precise time to cure in two different environments. Level of evidence This was not a clinical trial and did not involve patients as such the level of evidence was Grade A: Consistent 1 and 2.

Predicting the Isotropic Volumetric Compression Response of Hydrating Cemented Paste Backfill (CPB)

Deep and high-stress mining results in stress transfers onto the previously placed backfill, and mines have recorded several MPa induced backfill stress. Understanding the backfill-rock mass interaction is therefore critical. Previous work considered tabular ore bodies undergoing primarily one-dimensional compression and showed how the backfill reaction curves could be estimated from oedometer laboratory test results. This work considers massive orebodies and develops a similar approach based on isotropic compression curves. Isotropic compression tests exceeding 6 MPa are carried out on samples with 3.0–11.1% binder content, tested at 1-day cure time to 28-day cure time. The compression curve is characterized in three stages: initial elastic compression up to a yield point, followed by a transition stage to the start of a final stage with a linear post-yield compression line in \({\epsilon }_{v}-\text{l}\text{o}\text{g}\left({p}^{\text{'}}\right)\) space. Because these isotropic compression tests are rare (the reported results are the first for Cemented Paste Backfill), attempts are made to relate the isotropic compression test parameters to parameters from the more commonly used Unconfined Compression Strength (UCS) tests. Unifying equations as functions of binder content and cure time are found to determine the initial yield stress and the peak strength from UCS tests. These are then related to the corresponding parameters in isotropic compression. Finally, the slope of the post-yield compression line is found as a function of UCS, thereby enabling complete reconstruction of the isotropic compression response based on parameters from carefully controlled UCS tests, as functions of binder content and cure time. Although the calibrated parameters are specific to the studied mine’s materials, the framework is general and applicable to other mines’ CPBs.

Pyroptosis inhibition improves the symptom of acute myocardial infarction

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI), the leading cause of mortality worldwide, is a rapidly developing and irreversible disease. Therefore, proper prompt intervention at the early stage of AMI is crucial for its treatment. However, the molecular features in the early stage have not been clarified. Here, we constructed mouse AMI model and profiled transcriptomes and proteomes at the early stages of AMI progress. Immune system was extensively activated at 6-h AMI. Then, pyroptosis was activated at 24-h AMI. VX-765 treatment, a pyroptosis inhibitor, significantly reduced the infarct size and improved the function of cardiomyocytes. Besides, we identified that WIPI1, specifically expressed in heart, was significantly upregulated at 1 h after AMI. Moreover, WIPI1 expression is significantly higher in the peripheral blood of patients with AMI than healthy control. WIPI1 can serve as a potential early diagnostic biomarker for AMI. It likely decelerates AMI progress by activating autophagy pathways. These findings shed new light on gene expression dynamics in AMI progress, and present a potential early diagnostic marker and a candidate drug for clinical pre-treatment to prolong the optimal cure time.

Effect of Modified Silica Fume Using MPTMS for the Enhanced EPDM Foam Insulation

Silica fume (SF) is a by-product from the production of silicon metal, which has a relatively high silica concentration. The surface modified silica fume (mSF) is treated with (3-mercaptopropyl) trimethoxysilane (MPTMS) as filler in ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) foam. The FTIR spectra of mSF clearly indicated that MPTMS can be successfully bonded to the SF surface. The reinforcing efficiency of mSF-filled EPDM foam insulation indicated that the mechanical properties such as hardness, tensile strength, modulus, and compression set enhanced higher than in case of SF and calcium carbonate. While the cure characteristics such as the maximum torque (MH), the minimum torque (ML) and the differential torque (MH-ML) are increasing in proportion to increasing filler contents, mainly with mSF. For the cure behavior, the mSF-filled EPDM foam insulation showed the fastest cure time (tc90) and scorch time (ts2) due to reduced accelerator adsorption. Whereas, the calcium carbonate-filled EPDM foam insulation increased the cure time (tc90) and scorch time (ts2), therefore, it also prevents compound scorching. The results indicated that the mSF with MPTMS can be used as an alternative filler for EPDM foam insulation.

Polymethyl Methacrylate Cure Time in Simulated In Vivo Total Knee Arthroplasty Versus In Vitro Conditions

Background: The present means of confirming the cure of intra-operative polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) cement is to wait for the remainder cement to harden. To our knowledge, there is no available technique to determine the precise moment of cure for in-vivo cement beneath the tibial tray. This study uses a novel means to determine cement curing time in two environments. One environment represents the operating theater, and the other environment attempts to model cement conditions under the tibial tray during surgery.Materials and Methods: We determined the temperature-versus-time plot of cement curing using the following two temperature sensors: one in a simulated implanted tibial tray and another in the remainder cement. We performed 55 tests using dental methyl methacrylate cement mixed in the same ratio as the orthopedic cement. To simulate in vivo conditions, a simulated stainless-steel tibial tray was implanted on a cancellous bone substitute (Sawbones, Vashon Island, WA, USA) using standard cement technique and subsequently placed in a 90°F (32.2 °C) circulating water bath. We positioned a temperature sensor in the cement mantel and positioned a second sensor in a portion of the remaining cement. The temperature from both sensors was measured simultaneously, beginning at 5 mins after mixing and continuing for 20 mins. The first derivative of the temperature provided the precise curing time for each condition. We analyzed the results of 55 repeated experiments with an independent samples t-test. Results: With the described technique, we were able to accurately determine the moment of cure of the cement beneath the simulated tray. There was a mean difference between cure time of 5 mins and 26 s (p-value<0.001) between the two conditions. Conclusions: We validated that our technique was successful in determining the precise time to cure in two different environments.Level of Evidence: This was not a clinical trial and did not involve patients as such the level of evidence was Grade A: Consistent 1 and 2

Cure and death play a role in understanding dynamics for COVID-19: Data-driven competing risk compartmental models, with and without vaccination

Several factors have played a strong role in influencing the dynamics of COVID-19 in the U.S. One being the economy, where a tug of war has existed between lockdown measures to control disease versus loosening of restrictions to address economic hardship. A more recent effect has been availability of vaccines and the mass vaccination efforts of 2021. In order to address the challenges in analyzing this complex process, we developed a competing risk compartmental model framework with and without vaccination compartment. This framework separates instantaneous risk of removal for an infectious case into competing risks of cure and death, and when vaccinations are present, the vaccinated individual can also achieve immunity before infection. Computations are performed using a simple discrete time algorithm that utilizes a data driven contact rate. Using population level pre-vaccination data, we are able to identify and characterize three wave patterns in the U.S. Estimated mortality rates for second and third waves are 1.7%, which is a notable decrease from 8.5% of a first wave observed at onset of disease. This analysis reveals the importance cure time has on infectious duration and disease transmission. Using vaccination data from 2021, we find a fourth wave, however the effect of this wave is suppressed due to vaccine effectiveness. Parameters playing a crucial role in this modeling were a lower cure time and a signficantly lower mortality rate for the vaccinated.

Pyogenic liver abscess in non-liver cancer patients and liver cancer patients treated with TACE: etiological characteristics, treatment, and outcome analysis

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical, laboratory and microbiological features, clinical outcomes, and prognosis of pyogenic liver abscess (PLA) in non-liver cancer (Non-LC) patients and liver cancer patients treated with transarterial chemoembolization (TACE, LC-TACE).Methods: Clinical data of 48 consecutive PLA patients from January 2016 to December 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. The mortality was compared between the two groups of PLA patients, and risk factors for mortality were evaluated.Results: A total of 48 PLA patients meeting the inclusion criteria were included in this study from January 2016 to December 2020, including 31 males and 17 females. Among them, there were 32 patients in the Non-LC group and 16 patients in the LC-TACE group. Fever and chills were the most common symptoms in both groups, followed by abdominal pain. Shock occurred in 2 patient in the Non-LC group and 3 patients in the LC-TACE group. The positive rate of pus culture in the Non-LC group was 87.5%, among which the most common pathogen was Klebsiella pneumoniae (50%, 14/28), and the positive rate of pus culture in the LC-TACE group was 81.3%, among which the most common pathogen was Escherichia coli (30.8%, 4/13). In the Non-LC group, 28 patients improved after treatment, 1 patient did not improve, and 3 patients died during hospitalization, with a mortality rate of 9.4%. In the LC-TACE group, 9 cases improved after treatment, 3 cases did not improve, and 4 cases died during hospitalization, with a mortality rate of 25%. Multivariate analysis revealed no independent prognostic factor associated with mortality. The cure time of the Non-LC group was 37.4±23.1 days (6-90 days), while that of the LC-TACE group was 91.5±49.7 days (19-180 days), with a statistically significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.001).Conclusions: PLA of the Non-LC group and the LC-TACE group were different in terms of pathogenic bacteria and cure time, etc. For PLA after TACE, a more aggressive and comprehensive treatment should be considered.

Epilogue

The epilogue briefly surveys the twenty-first-century landscape of camping—a dizzying continuum from glamping and adventure styles to new streams of mobile laborers, from campground hosts to Amazon’s Camperforce. Meanwhile, advocates of recreational camping—and the outdoor recreational industry—have begun to trade in narratives of biological need and social prescription, of a nature-deficit disorder and a nature cure. Time spent recreating in nature is now promoted as a universal human need, to keep our bodies and minds in balance. Recreational camping came to promise, in the neoliberal framing, a good return on private investment in terms of family health and personal well-being, more so than democratic access to public nature. The parallel rise of this justification for leisure camping and the intensifying homeless crisis—both thrown into sharp relief by the COVID-19 pandemic—strongly suggests that the social contract may again be in transition.